초록 ▼

A deformable mirror construction is disclosed in which a difference in pressure between the front reflecting surface of the deformable mirror and an enclosed chamber behind the mirror\s reflecting surface is used to restore the reflecting surface to its undeformed condition after its shape has been

A deformable mirror construction is disclosed in which a difference in pressure between the front reflecting surface of the deformable mirror and an enclosed chamber behind the mirror\s reflecting surface is used to restore the reflecting surface to its undeformed condition after its shape has been deformed by the selective operation of one or more electrodistortive actuators. A pump is associated with the chamber to produce at least a partial vacuum in the enclosed chamber. The use of a pressure differential to influence the shape of the mirror\s reflecting surface avoids the need to have the actuators fastened to the reflecting surface, thereby permitting a construction which provides for the easy replacement of actuators. A preferred embodiment of the deformable mirror includes an apparatus for circulating a coolant through the mirror\s faceplate to remove heat therefrom.

대표청구항 ▼

A cooled deformable mirror for selectively controlling the wavefronts of optical signals comprising: a. A base having a plurality of apertures passing therethrough and at least two coolant channels for conducting coolant through said base; b. A faceplate having a facesheet with a reflecting surface

A cooled deformable mirror for selectively controlling the wavefronts of optical signals comprising: a. A base having a plurality of apertures passing therethrough and at least two coolant channels for conducting coolant through said base; b. A faceplate having a facesheet with a reflecting surface on a front side thereof for reflecting optical signals therefrom and a coolant distributor plate having at least one chamber for distributing coolant across the rear surface of said facesheet, said facesheet and said coolant distributor plate being sealed along the edges thereof to form an enclosed chamber for retaining coolant therein, said coolant distributor plate also having a wall on the rear surface of said faceplate, said wall defining an enclosed chamber behind said faceplate, said faceplate being fastened to said base by a continuous seal between the wall of said faceplate and said base to form a vacuum chamber between said faceplate and said base, the reflecting surface of said faceplate being exposed to a known atmospheric pressure; c. means connected to said vacuum chamber for producing at least a partial vacuum in said chamber lower than the pressure of said atmospheric pressure acting on said faceplate; d. a plurality of electrically-operated actuators fastened in the apertures in said base, said actuators being positioned so that a first end of each actuator contacts said faceplate, said actuators being connected to electrical control means for producing electrical signals for selectively elongating said actuators to produce known deformations in the reflecting surface of said faceplate; whereby the faceplate of said deformable mirror is retracted to its undeformed condition by the difference in pressure between the atmospheric pressure on the reflecting side of said faceplate and the pressure in said vacuum chamber when electrical signals applied to said actuators are removed.